Sports & the Outdoors

Sports & the Outdoors

Beaches

There are three main beaches around Christchurch: Sumner Beach, New Brighton Beach, and Taylor's Mistake. Sumner Beach is a pleasant place for a long, relaxing walk between Shag Rock and Scarborough Hill. Walk the first section along the sand to Cave Rock, which you can climb or walk through at low tide -- it has wonderful acoustics. Walk the rest of the way along the esplanade, as the beach is fairly rocky. Sumner Village is based around the Cave Rock area, and there are a number of restaurants, including one right on the beach. You can catch a number 30 bus here if you don't have a car.

New Brighton Beach, about 8 km (5 mi) from the city center, is popular with surfers and fishers. A long pier goes well out into the surf, a great place to stroll whether the sea is calm or rough. The number 5 bus goes here. Experienced surfers prefer Taylor's Mistake because the waves are higher. You can drive there over the Scarborough Hill or walk over a track, but there is no public transport.

Bicycling

Christchurch's relative flatness makes for easy biking, and the city has cultivated good resources for cyclists. White lines, and sometimes red-colored tarmac, denote cycling lanes on city streets, and holding bays are at the ready near intersections. You can pick up a route map from the city council; there's a particularly nice paved pedestrian and cycling path along the Avon running from the Bridge of Remembrance.

Cycles can be rented from Cyclone Cycles (245 Colombo St. 03/332-9588) for around $30 for half a day, including helmet, and $80 a week. City Cycle Hire (73 Wrights Rd., Addington. 03/339-4020 or 0800/343-848. www.cyclehire-tours.co.nz) has mountain, touring, and tandem bikes. Rentals include helmets and cost about $25 for a half day and $35 for a full day; they'll deliver your bike to your accommodation.

The Mountain Bike Adventure Company (03/339-4020 or 0800/424-534. www.cyclehire-tours.co.nz) offers a $60 package including a Gondola ticket to the summit station and all the equipment needed for a safe ride down. There's the choice of an off-road mountain-bike trail or a scenic road route down to the beach and back to base.

Golf

With views of Mt. Hutt and Rakaia Gorge, the 18-hole Terrace Downs High Country Resort course has to be one of the most scenic in the South Island. You can rent equipment, and if you truly can't tear yourself away, you can book a villa for the night. The luxurious suites and chalets overlook the golf course and the mighty Southern Alps. Greens fees are $115 for 18 holes.[. Coleridge Rd. 03/318-6943 or 0800/465-373. www.terracedowns.co.nz

The 18-hole championship golf course at the Clearwater Golf Club was built on the old Waimakariri riverbed near Christchurch Airport. Home to the NZPGA Championship, it is playable year-round and offers a choice of five tee positions. The greens fee is $125; rental equipment is on hand.[. Clearwater Ave. 03/360-1103. www.clearwaternz.com

Horse Trekking

Horse whisperer Kate Tapley and her team guide gentle rides with Otahuna Horse Riding (Rhodes Rd., Tai Tapu. 03/329-0160. www.otahunariding.co.nz), set on a historic estate up around the Port Hills. Emphasis is on connection with your horse using natural horsemanship, and each session begins with a partnering session. You'll have stunning views of the Canterbury Plains and the encircling mountain ranges from your saddle. Guided rides start at $90.

Rugby

Canterbury fans are as rugby-mad as the rest of the country, but this is hardly surprising when the first match ever played in New Zealand took place in 1862 in Cranmer Square, in central Christchurch. Every Saturday in winter you can catch little All-Blacks-in-the-making playing games in Hagley Park and suburban parks. Then cheer the Crusaders, the Canterbury rugby team, on their home turf at Jade Stadium (30 Stevens St., Phillipstown. 03/379-1765. www.jadestadium.co.nz). The stadium also is host to All Blacks games and international cricket matches.